Key Notes No.43 - Rt Hon John Key

31 Comments
26 February 2009
Key Notes No.43

THE WORLD’S MOST HEARTBREAKING AND REWARDING JOBS

Every now and then I get to do something that is really special, something that brings home just how lucky most of us are and how amazing this country can be.

On Tuesday morning I was in Auckland to help launch the mobile phone appeal for the Starship Foundation at Starship Children’s Hospital. It was fantastic to be part of such a fun event and to donate one of my old phones to the Foundation.

But what made the event really special was to spend a bit of time with some of the children who are battling serious illnesses or have recovered from them. The courage and joy you can see in their faces is truly humbling.

I have the greatest respect for the doctors and nurses who are helping these kids. They have some of the most heartbreaking and rewarding jobs in the world.

For more information about the appeal, and how you can donate an old mobile phone, click here http://www.starship.org.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/1659

Picture: The Prime Minister with former Starship patient Ethan Rae – (c) Patrick Bellett Photography

KEEPING OUR PROMISES – OUR FIRST 100 DAYS

The new Government has been in office for 100 days. During the election campaign we pledged to put in place a post-election action plan, covering our first actions on the economy, law and order, education, health, and electoral law. All these have been delivered as promised in our first 100 days.

I’m proud to lead a government that has kept its word. And I’m proud we’ve done it in the timeframe we set.

But this is just a start. Our post-election action plan covered only the first of our goals in government. Our next steps will be to deliver on the rest of our election promises, implement our Jobs and Growth plan to combat the global recession, and help build a brighter future for all New Zealanders.

Click here http://www.national.org.nz/files/2009/Our_First_100_%20Days.pdf to read more about the promises we delivered in our action plan and our next steps in government.

GRADUATE BONDING SCHEME

One of the big concerns I hear when I travel around the country is that too many of our communities have a shortage of basic services. Some people just can’t get in to see their local GP. Mothers-to-be can’t find a midwife. Schools can’t find teachers, hospitals don’t have enough nurses, and farmers can’t find vets to treat their sick animals.

I’m determined to fix that. That’s why on Monday we delivered on our election promise to launch a voluntary bonding scheme for graduates in professions that have serious shortages.

The scheme provides student loan write-offs and cash payments to graduate doctors, nurses and midwives, teachers, and veterinarians who agree to work in hard-to hard-staff areas or specialties for three-to-five years. It will encourage graduates to work and settle here in New Zealand and help reverse the exodus of young Kiwis leaving overseas.

When the scheme is fully operating it will include up to:
- 500 graduate doctors, and 1250 graduate nurses and midwives working for up to five years in hard-to-staff specialties or areas.
- 1800 graduate teachers working in hard-to-staff schools or subjects.
- 150 graduate vets working in hard-to-staff rural areas.

Our graduate bonding scheme will bring a boost to communities all around the country. It’s just one of the many steps we’ll be taking to improve frontline services for the public.

For more information see:
- Graduate doctors, nurses and midwives http://www.national.org.nz/Article.aspx?articleId=29396
- Graduate teachers http://www.national.org.nz/Article.aspx?articleId=29394
- Graduate vets http://www.national.org.nz/Article.aspx?ArticleId=29395

JOBS AND GROWTH PLAN – THE JOB SUMMIT

I’m really looking forward to Friday’s Job Summit in Auckland.

We’re bringing together around 200 people from throughout New Zealand who are at the coalface of the economy – in business and industry, training, trade unions, iwi, central and local government – people who can make a real difference as we find our way through these difficult times.

The summit is not just about what the Government can do. It’s about how we can work together to maintain the highest possible levels of employment while we weather the downturn.

That’s why I was really pleased to see ASB’s announcement earlier in the week that it will provide a $1 billion loans facility targeted at keeping and creating jobs in small and medium-sized businesses. It’s this kind of innovative thinking that I hope we’ll see more of on Friday.

We need to be realistic. This summit won’t be a ‘magic bullet' – a single meeting can’t hope to resolve the complex challenges we face. But it will be an important contributor to the initiatives we need to boost jobs and growth across our economy.

You can keep in touch with the Job Summit and our progress here http://www.beehive.govt.nz/feature/summit

YOUR COMMENTS

I’d like to thank those of you who have posted comments – positive and negative – on my website and my Facebook page over the last month. Your views on the recession and our response to it have given us some great insights – especially in the lead up to tomorrow’s Job Summit. Please keep your comments coming. We are reading them and they are helping to guide our thinking.

You can comment on this newsletter here www.johnkey.co.nz.

Best wishes

Hon John Key
Prime Minister

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#1 - Robbie Denison 2009-02-26 19:52 - (Reply)

At the upcoming Job Summit meeting, I think that the government stance on such things as purchasing uniforms from China is going to get a hard time. At the end of the day the customer ... in this case ultimately the taxpayer via the Government ... gets to choose whose product they want to buy and how much they want to pay. If the customer chooses to pay more because of a local loyalty or because it doesn't want to pay the unemployment to an extra 30 odd people, or because it wants to retain the skills of these peolple in the country, then surely it can do so without impacting on a free trade agreement? This arguement is surely valid across a wide range of businesses and skills, and I believe that Governmant departments in particular need to put their money where their mouth is, and buy New Zealand made. Cheers, Robbie.

#2 - Chris Ward 2009-02-26 19:59 - (Reply)

Hi John What the world needs to avoid serious financial melt down is a wage rise - a good old dose of wage inflation to balance asset prices. Either markets fall or wages rise. There has to be balance. Read my other contributions. PLEASE. Regards Chris Ward

#3 - Tom McCall said:
2009-02-26 20:17 - (Reply)

You are doing great, hang in there as most of us are, in Small businesses around our wonderful little country, John just keep on telling us the way it is, and what is really happening, without any of the smoke, mirrors, weasel words and bull!#it* that we have been experiencing for the past three terms of the previous incumbents. You will be pleasantly surprised at the loyalty and support you will receive. Nice work Team. kind regards Tom McCall Autoclutch

#4 - Gary Sedcole 2009-02-26 20:23 - (Reply)

If the goverment is serious about creating & keeping jobs in NZ, then they need to start leading by example. The goverment needs to start buying NZ made products (food, clothing, furniture, vehciles, etc). The goverment is the countries biggest employer & therefore the biggest consumer & needs to start using NZ products. If other countries can do the same thing, then surely you can as well. Don't use the free trade act as an excuse because you where elected by NZers to look after NZers & not companies from different countries. You have the obligation to support & look after your country.

#5 - Steve said:
2009-02-26 20:33 - (Reply)

The summit is not just about what the Government can do. It’s about how we can work together to maintain the highest possible levels of employment while we weather the downturn.That’s why I was really pleased to see ASB’s announcement earlier in the week that it will provide a $1 billion loans facility targeted at keeping and creating jobs in small and medium-sized businesses. It’s this kind of innovative thinking that I hope we’ll see more of on Friday.

#6 - kate gibbs 2009-02-26 20:38 - (Reply)

It would be great for our region if you could help reverse the decision on the Defence uniforms manufactured by Swazi Davey is an amazing man who has been one of the only clothing manufacturers to stay in NZ against all odds We need more people like him succeeding and standing up for certain principles - but occasionally people like him need help Its like our jam we make at our orchard called "orchard delight" avail in supermarkets all thru the country - we use 100% NZ fruit- thats all - even though at the moment we can't buy NZ raspberries and we also cannot sell our blackberry crop to other food manufacturers because all the fruit for yoghurts and juices etc is coming in from chile and china and we cannot compete pricewise so we have to consider leaving the crop on the vines that we have nurtured all year - if everyone bought and used NZ fruit we might be able to save a few jobs! - thanks for the chance to comment Kate Gibbs Stanmore Farm Te Horo, Otaki

#7 - Diane Colson 2009-02-26 20:45 - (Reply)

i am pleased to see your progress but feel where the most difference can be made is by actively encouraging the many soon to be unemployed to enter into the army, airforce, navy, education, health and land based sectors. This is where the real shortages have been and will be again once the economy picks up. we can use the world situation to our advantage by not just filling the present skill shortages but training and employing what we will need in 5+ years time. we can also lead many more to apprentiships and give some form of support to employers who take on more apprentices. We should also look to building the new schools, hospitals and infrastructure that we need now and will need in 10-15 years time. be proactive not reactive. use all the labour we do and will have to get the country ahead. do not skimp on the fiscal area use others money to build our country. lastly have anotehr employment summit but only include business operators from all the sectors including importers and exporters. then you will get another perspective to work with

#8 - Ann Bennett 2009-02-26 20:45 - (Reply)

The bonding scheme is a great idea, although not new, it existed years ago with Physiotherapists etc bonded to hospital boards. I see their is NO mention of physiotherapists in this new initiative which I think is a huge oversight. There has been a chronic shortage in both public and private sector for many years now, losing skilled people out of the workforce due to conditions, poor pay, and new graduates overseas. Physiotherapists are a huge part of the rehab system and get people and keep people out of hospitals!! that cost millions of dollars, and keep people functioning in their own homes etc,,, I think you should urgently look at the problems this professions is struggling with . Ann Bennett Huapai

#8.1 - Merv Grewar 2009-02-26 23:09 - (Reply)

Your item regarding health. I do recall in your pre election comments that you would be looking at cutting out the administration is sectors and using the saving for the "coal face". This certainly needs to be looked at in the health sector. Our DHB has more people in office/administration than we have in the Doctor/nursing staff. Probably it will be extremely hard to (a) get shot of some of these non productive people (b) change hospital board thinking that admin people need to organise themselves in a more productive way to maximize themselves to undertake more output for less staff. But by so doing more finance could be put into salaries that would keep staff in our country and in their jobs. Our particular DHB being a country area needs some kind of retention bonus to keep staff or even attract more staff and it should not come from cutting facilities. From what I can understand, Government can probably only recommend DHB's in their direction but I would say a firm recommendation would be a ratio of lesser administrators to productive staff. Probably one of the complaints that would be heard from administrators is that they are needed to juggle the large volumes of paper work that is necessary - this too would be a good area to look at to reduce administration workload and thereby ultimately reduce administration staff. I suspect this will be a touchy subject as many of you people in Parliament are administrators and probably the "old buddy" system could be an undermining factor but overall it would be for the good of the country and the countries health. Merv Grewar

#9 - Jacqueline (Jacqui) Hartley 2009-02-26 21:00 - (Reply)

Dear Mr. Key (John), In this household we are fans! BUT neither my husband nor I agree that the contract for military apparel should be given to a Chinese business in lieu of a N.Z. company. Pertaining to this, we consider your comment re international trade somewhat flippant for these difficult times. The first consideration should be keeping NZers in work - because we taxpayers end up paying for the poor sods that are unemployed. That's not protectionism, that's pragmatism. We have many other options for trade with China without resorting to our GOVERNMENT issuing contracts offshore. You are the money man - have you calculated unemployment benefit into your equation? Or the social cost - which may be even more important? (Although how one can put a $ on that I have no idea.) Congratulations on your "100 days" - we look forward to the next roll-out; pray God it is sorting the RMA! Cheers Jacqueline Hartley Ohope

#10 - Paula Wagstaff said:
2009-02-26 21:00 - (Reply)

John, Congratulation on all you have done in your first 100 days, on target. NZ Herald polls confirm the country is behind you. But do realise that as you know this is a very unsettling time, and people are very nervous, therefore you need to be consistant, firm and direct. I suggest you address the nation and tell us from your heart exactly where we are at, and the immediate plans. Today I heard, 'Oh National are not gong to be able to provide the tax cuts' then it turns out 1 April may be OK, but the NZ Herald has on its site right now, BUT Key cannot guarantee that. This give the 'yapping poodle' team Goff and Bradford food to stir up the public and cause them to unnecessarily fret. Remember there is a saying. 'Its the little foxes that ruin the vine' It was Bill Clintons advise to Barack, not to scare the people, but give them the vision. And that was thr best advise he could have given him. Thank God for Bill Clinton to stand up. A nation needs a strong focused leader, as a family needs a father. The NZ family need to you address us, step by step, say what is happening and how you ar going to fix it, and this is where we are heading, and how we will get there. Do not lett the little yapping poodles to stir and try and cause discourse. They have already done almost irrevocable damage to this nation and the families therein. Time for you to restore all that John. Go well. You can do it.

#10.1 - Ian 2009-02-27 14:56 - (Reply)

I thought one of the reasons the country voted Labour out was because we had enough of the 'Nanny state'. Turns out what we, or you, really wanted was a 'Daddy state' Time will tell, but I think you are putting too much hope in a group of people who don't seem to have that much in the way of new ideas.

#11 - Kelvin Hunter 2009-02-26 21:03 - (Reply)

The more I see of this "recession', the more I believe it is Media driven. Is there a chance they could be muzzled and I am sure the confidence of average Joe Citizen would improve greatly. Looking at Kiwi Bank's result, are you still planning on selling it?? Every body I talk to are impressed with you and your Governments performance to date. Well done and keep it up.

#12 - Collin D Blackman 2009-02-26 21:16 - (Reply)

John, one of the promises that you made was a line by line review of spending. Why are we still subjected to scores of ads funded by Qango's telling us how to live our lives. Media may well show that so many TV sets are drawing power at the time an ad runs but they cannot show that the target audience are in fact watching during the ad break, consequently this would qualify as poorly spent money when those dollars could be better spent elsewhere.

#13 - John Fleck 2009-02-26 21:56 - (Reply)

Graduate Bonding Top marks, this is long overdue. Defence Forces & Police Uniforms, combat kit etc. We should support Swazi and others like Dean Clothing. McKinley's (Dunedin) make excellent shoes and light boots.

#14 - Laurence Mercer 2009-02-26 22:47 - (Reply)

Congratulations on your first 100 days, I look forward to many more 100 days. Could you please ask your Transport Minister to tell the Oil Companies to get rid of the ridiculous .9% on the price of petrol, and call it what it is in full dollar terms. With regard to the Swazi clothing manufacturer, I should imagine that this contract was actually written under the EX labour Govt and under contract law will be difficult to break and could be classed as protectionist in these difficult times. We know what will happen if we go down this road,(see 1933)

#15 - Shane McNeill said:
2009-02-26 23:55 - (Reply)

Mr Key, I just wanted to congratulate you on your first 100 days in office. I have been hearing from people in their uncertainty of how well you could handle the job and they seam to find it easy to pick at little faults. As far as I can tell the majority of the country is 100% behind you in all you've done so far and those that do support you don't expect you to be perfect, its not possible to please everyone at the same time. We all trust your judgement and we know that you won't let us down. I think its great that you've been out supporting Starship and I would definitely back you in the Graduate Bonding Scheme being a student myself. I'm sure it will convince at least those numbers of post grads to stay in the country despite the temptation to dip their toes in the international market. Our country is becoming more and more well known, 10 years ago a lot of Americans didn't even know we existed. The appeal to our country and the reason people should stay here is our clean green image and the sense of serenity everyone can feel travelling through the countryside. I think this needs to be promoted more to students, even if they don't realise it now they will when they get older and it will affect the decisions they make. Thank you for all that you've achieved so far. Yours sincerely

#16 - D.Jones 2009-02-27 08:16 - (Reply)

AfterI had recovered from reading the news that a government guarantee is to be provided to a couple of failed financiers I thought how many damaged families must be cheering you on.

#17 - Mishel Abdust 2009-02-27 08:39 - (Reply)

John, congratulations on your first 100 days, I look forward to many more 100 days. I think personally you and your government are the best thing it could have happened to this country. Just one small concern that I have and that is, I was watching the news last night and I heard about the future plans of New Zealand government in conjunction with the tax cuts in 2009, 2010 and 2011. Since one of the promises of your government before the Election Day, was the introduction of the tax cuts for three consecutive years, I think it is imperative for your team to keep their promises no matter what the world economy is going to be. This way you will maintain your high creditability that you are enjoying right now and you will avoid any accusations from different parties at the next Election Campaign that the National Party only delivered one tax cut out of three. I am sure you will agree with me that to stimulate the current economy, we need to circulate the money rather than blocking it. The more money is left in the tax payer’s pocket, the higher the spending chance will be. Thanking you in advance for listening.

#18 - Amanda Davies 2009-02-27 08:53 - (Reply)

I just wanted to say that I have never been interested in anything our government has had to say in the past, because it was always a load of bull. I have started reading your comments and seeing the difference you are making in our legal system just by voicing your opinion. I have the utmost respect for how you are working and the morals you have. Thank you for leading our country and so far doing an incredible job in these difficult times. Yours sincerely Amanda Davies

#19 - Maggie Lister 2009-02-27 09:57 - (Reply)

Mr Key, as a resident in a small rural town in South Taranaki I am heartened to see your proposal encouraging our young medical and teaching graduates to take up positions in country areas. As an expat Auckland girl I can say there is life after city dwelling with Caring communities, healthy living, clean air ready to welcome these professionals with open arms. Please keep this promise to all our farming and forestry communities who continue to produce a lions share of our country's wealth against so many odds.

#20 - gary rovin 2009-02-27 10:14 - (Reply)

unleash the pent up buying power tied up in home mortgages that have an "unconscionable" pre-payment penalty clause. Most western countries have outlawed these as against public policy. It is disingenuous for the banking community to try to fool the public about losses due to "broken contracts" . Do the banks complain when the market rises and contracts are broken or properties are sold ? They must reap the rewards then . DO they pay the home owner a Bonus? Hardly. These are the basic issues of business , you risj on the market. "wipe out the prepayment penalty clauses"....perhpas at least a simple halr or 1 % penalty....nothing else is fair.

#21 - Don Shute 2009-02-27 12:00 - (Reply)

Hi John Key, I was very disturbed to hear what the Army have done to the clothing Company in Levin today. It is difficult to know the full story however the news paints an alarming picture.. However it reminds me of a job we missed out on at the Hamilton Boys High School late last year. We quoted to one builder and the contract was given to another builder without us knowing. When we heard about it from the new builder it was too late, all we were told is that the retractable seating had been given to another supplier as instructed by the school. After contacting the school and asking them why we were not given an opportunity to quote. I was told that the school liked the look of the seating chosen and they asked for and accepted their quote even though they knew it was to be made in overseas. That is many man weeks on work that will be made in America while more New Zealander’s get the dole. We can do the same job in New Zealand but we are not even considered. When will administrators take a responsible attitude. If you like you could take this to the Job Summit as an example. What I believe is that, unless the overseas contract is more 10% below the local price for the same work, the Government should withdraw the funding for the overseas part of the contract and make the School or Council raise the funds themselves. Perhaps this is the way to make the administrators come to their senses. Regards Don

#22 - Helen 2009-02-27 14:02 - (Reply)

So far everything is going well for National. However, with regard to the Jobs Summit I'm wondering if it would be a good idea to halt most immigration at the moment, especially unskilled and from the Islands, and concentrate on getting jobs for New Zealanders. The Pacific Islanders are often in unskilled jobs and the first out of work. There could be enormous savings in the Unemployment Benefit, the DPB and Sickness Benefits too and not to mention the violence, health related issues and child abuse that seems to be inherent in their culture.

#23 - Anonymous 2009-02-28 11:28 - (Reply)

it's great to see that you Mr. Key would gather together leading 'thinkers' to brainstorm ideas for N.Z growth. Hopefully much good will come from it. Hopefully many wise men were among them. I have a suggestion that although I am sure will be seen by many as a step backwards, would help many others looking for a solution. My suggestion is for women to be encouraged to stay at home with their children. Many women (not all) would rather be at home for their children, but feel the pressure from todays expectations and financial pressure to work outside the home. If women were encouraged financially ie: by tax breaks or some financial assistance to stay at home I'm sure that many would. This in turn would free up many jobs for the main provider of families. Children in todays world are given from very young into day care institutions to be raised by strangers instead of parents. Parents today seem to think that an educated care worker is better equipped to raise their child than themselves. However, I suggest that if mothers were encouraged financially and educated in good parenting that the stress in families and the job market would be reduced. (Just thinking aloud) from a woman

#24 - Paula Wagstaff 2009-02-28 17:34 - (Reply)

Annon, I 100% agree with you, mothers/fathers are needed as their first priority - in the home. Having taught parenting skills for 25 yrs, when you ask a child if they would prefer to be raised or spend time with a nanny, a teacher or their mother, guess which one they pick. In fact when a group of businesswomen were asked what their choice would be, they all repied 'their mother' so then they were asked. 'Well why are you doing this to your children'? The saddest part is when they are pushed into day-care from 6 - 8 weeks, like they are battery hens. Clearly now that money is no longer able to be No 1. Maybe now parents will prioritize, and we will see future generatios of chidren who know their parents think enough of them to actually spend TIME with them. And yes to Ian on #7 There is a HUGE difference between a woman and her philosophies of putting down men and fathers rather than encouraging them, and dividing married couples and benefiting couplesl iving together, so the child has no firm commitment from their parents, different story if going into business together, THEN the paperwork 'suddenly' matters. Rewarding crimminals and punishing innocent victims, oh the list is soooo long. Or...a man who leads, and sets standards. If you listen to Barack Obama you should clearly see the difference, dont see him putting down fathers but encouraging them to lead their families. I would rather have a father than a nanny.

#25 - Bill Bourke 2009-02-28 21:35 - (Reply)

John Great news about the support for Doctors and Nurses. But you also need to add Dentists as well

#26 - gary mayer 2009-03-01 20:12 - (Reply)

john u doing great jop keep it up,i like u because u r a man of his word,and i r 4 u 100% cheers gary

#27 - Jim McLennan 2009-03-01 21:23 - (Reply)

John I believe that the best way to really get tourism going in NZ would be to adopt an open skies policy and let the airlines pay for much of the publicity. I know Air New Zealand would not like that but I remain unconvinced that we really need an International Airline. In this age of the need to invest huge amounts of money to buy aircraft, such as the Airbus 380, and thus keep pace with the World we just can't afford it. You are doing a good job I believe. We just need you to apply some of what your experience in business taught you applied to runnig NZ. After all our ewconomy is smaller than many large businesses around the World and is niot really in need of a great bureaucratic apparatus to manage and run it. All the best

#28 - Allan Dewar 2009-03-02 08:33 - (Reply)

Have you seen the latest newsletter from NZCPR? _http://www.nzcpr.com/NewsletterArchive.htm_ Policies which support and rebuild families are very important and I trust will be high on your agenda.

#29 - Teri 2009-03-10 15:22 - (Reply)

There's a terrific (short) article in the Wall Street Journal featuring John Key. Well worth a read. *http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123638162497057661.html*

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26 February 2009
Key Notes No.43

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31 Comments 26 February 2009 Key Notes No.43

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31 Comments
26 February 2009
Key Notes No.43